The 8 Best Makeup Brush Sets of 2026 for Every Level of Mastery
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An artist is only as good as their tools — and yes, that includes makeup artists. The right portfolio of brushes can make all the difference, which is why investing in one of the best makeup brush sets on the market will pay dividends if you’re looking for a polished, pro-level finish.
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According to Danielle Kimiko Vincent, celebrity makeup artist, brow expert, and founder of Kimiko Beauty , everyone — from beginner makeup moguls to celebrity MUAs — can squeeze much use out of a complete set of the essential types of makeup brushes .
“I love a good brush set because it can encourage you to start experimenting with new techniques that you might not have otherwise considered,” Vincent explains. “For example, an angled eyeshadow brush can be used in many more ways than a standard flat brush. You might learn to create a color wash with the wide section of the brush, and then use the narrow side to create an accent with a darker color.”
It also helps that there’s “usually a price break,” when you opt to purchase an entire set versus individual blush brushes , bronzer brushes , and eye makeup brushes, Vincent adds. “Even if one of the brushes doesn’t become a favorite, the value is [still] there.”
The best set of makeup brushes for you depends on your everyday beauty preferences, the types of bristles that work with your skin, and whether or not you’d benefit from special features like weighted handles for shaky hands. To create this list of the best makeup brushes sets in 2026, we spoke with Vincent, celebrity makeup artist Linda Hay , Jamie Makeup founder Jamie Greenberg , and global makeup artist for Jane Iredale Nechelle Turner .
Ahead, editor-loved eye makeup brush sets, travel makeup brush sets, and professional makeup brush sets with all the tools you need for casual or special-occasion glam.
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Laura Geller New York Professional Makeup Brush Set
$29.40
$49
40% off
You might not be a makeup pro quite yet, but that doesn’t mean you don’t deserve to own professional-level makeup gadgets in your beauty arsenal. This sleek, sophisticated, five-piece set from Laura Geller New York receives high praise on Amazon, where it’s going for under $30 (making it one of the most affordable buys in this roundup). What you’ll be getting here? Thick, vegan, shed-proof, and plush brushes that deal masterfully with foundations, powders, blushes, bronzers, eyeshadows, and more (we have a soft-spot for that kabuki brush in particular, which can be swept across your cheeks in broad strokes or patted on them with intent). For bonus points, this is the only brush in the kit that’s retractable, meaning you can take it with you from the plane to the train to the dinner date — ensuring your look stays impeccable even while on the go.
What testers say:“Not usually much of a makeup person, so I liked the price for the quality of the product. There are several different brushes here for all your basic makeup application needs. They’re really soft, applying makeup smoothly and lightly.”
Price upon publish date of this article:$29.40
BS-Mall Travel Makeup Brush Set
$17.99
$19.99
10% off
Going abroad and want to look stunning for all those Instagram posts on the horizon? Instead of figuring out how to pack your larger makeup brush set into a weekender bag
or suitcase, temporarily swap it out for a travel
makeup brush set — like this Amazon cult favorite with thousands of positive reviews. Each of its brushes has a wooden handle that’s pleasant to the touch, as well as nylon bristles that will never feel abrasive on your skin. The marquee feature here, though, is undoubtedly that carrying case, which is equipped with a built-in mirror that swivels 360 degrees, LED lights, USB-C charging, and touchscreen capabilities. No longer do you have to stealthily reapply your highlighter in the bathroom, as this top-selling set allows you to flex your artistic prowess from anywhere
.
What testers say:“This BS-Mall mini makeup brush set is super convenient for traveling! The brushes are soft, compact, and surprisingly good quality for the size. I love that it comes with a built-in LED mirror, which definitely came in handy during hotel stays and quick touch-ups in the car.”
Price upon publish date of this article:$17.99
Jenny Patinkin Sustainable Dual-Ended Luxury Makeup Brush Set
$150
Beauty expert and makeup artist to the stars Jenny Patinkin knows
what people need when it comes to makeup brushes that go the extra mile, and it’s safe to say the ones in this set deliver quality in spades. Inherently space-saving due to their dual-ended nature, the picks all boast special features like domed shapes, angled orientations, or “demi-stiff” textures that go better with certain makeup product types. What’s more, the bristles in question are recycled, and so are the weighted handles adjacent to them. We love that the set comes in its very own Vegan Leather Brush Case (peep that adorable, rose-gold zipper!), not to mention the fact that it promises to have 2.5 times as many bristles per brush as competing models.
What testers say:“Compact yet complete. Efficient and beautiful. Soft, easy to clean. I’m blown away: You can tell these brushes were made by someone who understands makeup and makeup lovers. I’ve since bought many JP brushes and repurchased them to give as treats to dear friends. This set is a winner!”
Price upon publish date of this article:$150
EDITOR'S CHOICE
It Cosmetics Your Superheroes Full-Size Travel Makeup Brush Set
$51
It Cosmetics’ makeup brushes are a popular choice, with millions upon millions of views on TikTok — where shoppers can’t stop raving about how beautifully the brushes blend face makeup. The brand’s bestselling Heavenly Luxe powder brush
costs $50 alone, so this budget-friendly set is a major deal, coming to you with four brushes for just $51. Where some travel makeup brush sets include mini tools, this one features full-sized face and eye makeup brushes with a handy sunglass case–sized carrying pouch.
Editor testing and review notes:“This It Cosmetics makeup brush set is an editor’s choice pick for its value and quality. During testing, I was highly impressed with the feel of the brushes given the $50 price point — each of the tools applied product smoothly without streaks, and I didn’t experience any bristle fallout during a six-month testing period. The bristles also snap back to like-new after washing, where other fluffy bristled brushes can lose their soft feel after multiple washes. The edit of brushes has me covered for every step of a full-glam routine, including flat to fluffy eyeshadow brushes for different looks and a powder and foundation brush that covers my base makeup beautifully. An included carrying case is the cherry on top for limiting clutter on my vanity countertop.” — Former WWD Commerce Editor Claire Sullivan
Price upon publish date of this article:$51
EDITOR'S CHOICE
E.l.f. Cosmetics Flawless Face Brush Collection
$16
During months of trialing makeup brush sets, one thing became clear to our panel of testers: You don’t have to spend an arm and a leg to get a selection of brushes that feel amazing on your skin and apply makeup flawlessly. Two WWD Shop editors regularly reach for this E.l.f. Cosmetics Brush Set, what with its lineup of six tools that provide exactly what you need for the brows, eyelids, and complexion. These top E.l.f. beauty products
are made with cruelty-free vegan bristles that feel buttery-soft, and we found that they stay in mint condition after being washed with mild soap and warm water. Minimalists on a beauty budget, listen up — this one’s for you.
Editor testing and review notes: “I love that this set has a tight edit of tools that provide exactly what I need for the brows, eyelids, and complexion. Considering the price here, I was expecting a lower quality, but these brushes stand up next to counterparts that go for quadruple the amount. Bottom line: This is a great makeup brush kit for those looking to expand their beauty toolbox without breaking the bank.” — Sullivan
Price upon publish date of this article:$16
Hourglass Vegan Face & Eye Travel Brush Set
$340
Hourglass is renowned for its luxury makeup brushes, which get a seal of approval from celebrities like Hailey Bieber. Each brush in this particular bestselling set has bristles made of PETA-approved Taklon, a synthetic fiber that mimics the feel of boar hair while delivering streak-free makeup application and never feeling irritating to sensitive skin types. On top of these silky-soft bristles, Hourglass brushes have weighted metal handles that are ideal for makeup lovers dealing with hand shakes or tremors. Hay says she can’t live without these Hourglass essentials, explaining that they are beautifully engineered and “become an extension of your hand, making the application process a breeze.”
Individual Hourglass makeup brushes range from $34 to $69 a pop, making this seven-piece collection a bargain at $340. You’ll get four brushes for finessing your foundation, concealer
, and best red lipsticks
, as well as three eye makeup brushes and a vegan leather carrying case for good measure.
Editor testing and review notes:“I’ve owned my Hourglass makeup brushes for four years, using them regularly with cream and powder products. Throughout this testing period — and with weekly or biweekly washing — the bristles have remained as fresh and soft as how they were the day I opened them. The brushes’ unique density makes them particularly great for cream eyeshadows and liquid blushes
. I find that I need less product to get my desired color payoff when I use these Hourglass must-haves, too.” — Sullivan
Price upon publish date of this article:$340
BEST EYE MAKEUP BRUSH SET
Morphe Eye Want It All 7-Piece Eye Brush Set
$28
Eyeshadow palette
enthusiasts know that Morphe makes some of the most coveted, colorful options on the market… so leave it to the brand to create a stellar eyeshadow makeup brush set that doesn’t only cater to its own eyeshadow line. Ideal for those who like to make a statement on the lids, the Eye Want It All Brush Set comes with seven makeup brushes, including full, fluffy options as well as those that dole out pencil-like precision. Each brush in the set features synthetic bristles that are designed to go gentle on your eyelids while you’re etching a cat eye in place or diffusing eyeshadow for a daytime-chic look.
What testers say:“First off, zero shedding is a dream come true! These brushes are incredibly full, which makes application a breeze. But the real game-changer is how unbelievably soft they are. Seriously, I’ve used so many brushes in the past that felt abrasive on my skin, but these are so delicate and gentle. They glide on the skin, making blending effortless and comfortable. If you’re looking for high-quality, soft, and effective eye brushes, you need this set.”
Price upon publish date of this article:$28
Saie The Brush Collection
$164
$182
10% off
It’s true: Saie makeup brushes are TikTok sensations, and searches for them have tallied over 300 million views on the app at this point. The Big Brush (second from left) gets the most attention on BeautyTok, with testers showcasing how it effortlessly applies cream and liquid products for a skin-mimicking result. With this top makeup brush set, you’ll get the tool along with a complexion brush, double-ended eye brush for highlighting and contouring, and a fluffy brush for powder work. Name a better quartet, we’ll wait.
What testers say:“These brushes are the perfect upgrade to [any] collection. Not too stiff, not too soft, blendable perfection!”
Price upon publish date of this article:$164
The Best Makeup Brushes to Look for in a Set
Despite what you may see on social media, you don’t need an overwhelming number of brushes to achieve a professional-level look. According to Greenberg and Hay, your kit should include a mix of the following types of makeup brushes:
Foundation brushesto apply and blend your face makeup. Hay recommends keeping two: One for applying foundation and the other for polishing the skin.
Angled brushesfor brows and eyeliner .
Eyeshadow brushesin various sizes. Hay suggests options that range from the tiniest point for fine work to big, fluffy eyeshadow brushes for buffing and blending shadows.
Pencil brushesto use on the lower lash line and for a more concentrated shadow color in the outer corner of your eye.
Concealer brushesfor smaller, more targeted applications.
Powder brushesfor applying setting powder to the T-zone, as well as blending powder bronzer or blush onto the skin.
Angled contour brushesfor bronzer and contour sticks .
Lip brushesto detail richly pigmented lip colors and to blend-slash-diffuse lip liner.
What to Look for in the Best Makeup Brush Sets
Newsflash: Not all makeup brushes are created equal. When shopping for this beauty category, there are some key details to consider.
Synthetic vs. natural hair: Turner explains that bristles on makeup brushes are either natural or synthetically made from nylon, polyester, and other faux fibers. Natural hair brushes, per Turner, have cuticles, making them porous and therefore better able to attract and keep the product in the brush (which ultimately results in a more sheer application).
“Their porous nature can also make them a breeding ground for bacteria,” Turner says, adding that natural hair brushes tend to have a higher price point with questionable longevity.
Synthetic brushes, on the other hand, are nonporous. As such, they “pick up and distribute more product onto the skin for a defined and precise application,” Turner tells WWD. It’s worth noting that stiff synthetic brushes or those with a shiny coating can result in a streaky final look, so you’d be wise to invest in those with fluffier, softer bristles.
Hay uses a mix of natural and synthetic brushes on her celebrity clients, and she notes that the choice ultimately comes down to personal preference. “The quality of synthetic bristles has come such a long way,” Hay explains, noting that Hourglass makes options she loves to use.
“In either case, look for shedding,” Turner warns. “Shedding or lack thereof is a good indicator of the fiber quality as a whole.”
Number of makeup brushes: Be realistic about how many brushes you need and how many brushes you’ll actually use on a daily basis. “If you’re advanced and like to try new techniques, a larger set with a wide variety [of brushes] will suit you best,” Vincent shares. “If you’re relatively simple with your makeup, then an edited set will be great for you.”
“A basic brush set for the minimalist might be a five- to eight-piece one with foundation, blush, powder, lip, and eyeshadow brushes,” says Hay, who also notes that double-ended brush sets are especially handy, seeing as how a five-brush set with dual bristles gives you 10 total brush options to work with.
Handle material and length: Vincent tells us that, as far as length goes, medium or short handles work well and fit better within a personal makeup bag . However, for a professional makeup artist, longer handles are the move when applying powder or blush. “This allows me to view my client from slightly further back, giving me a fuller picture of what I’m creating,” she says.
In terms of handle material, you pretty much have two choices: wooden or plastic. “This may not be important for everyone,” Vincent prefaces, “but specifically for natural brushes, I prefer a beautiful wooden handle and brush hairs that have been hand-cut and tied. This usually means a high attention to detail has been given to the taper and placement of the brush hairs, which I find translates to a more refined lay-down of powdered products.”
How We Tested and Selected the Best Makeup Brush Sets of 2026
To create this list of the best makeup brush sets for beginners and pros alike, our editors began by reaching out to professional makeup artists — gauging their input on key qualities to look for in a makeup brush set. Using this expertise, we selected close to 40 makeup brush sets, evaluating them rigorously across three rounds of product testing.
Our testers analyzed each makeup brush set based on a list of criteria that included bristle density, softness, materials, and durability. We made sure to use each brush set with liquid, cream, and powder makeup products to assess versatility. Each tester also washed their makeup brushes between applications, to see if the tools could hold up to regular wear and tear. Makeup brush sets that lost bristles, supplied too few or too many tools, or were uncomfortable to hold in the hand were excluded from our list.
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Meet the Experts
Linda Hay is a world-renowned makeup artist known for her uncanny ability to highlight what is unique within all her subjects. Hay’s work has appeared on the covers of magazines from W to Elle to Allure , and she’s worked with Hollywood elite like Heidi Klum, Selena Gomez, Megan Fox, Jennifer Lawrence, Julianne Moore, and Naomi Watts — making sure the stars look nothing short of head-turning for red carpet events.
Jamie Greenberg is a celebrity makeup artist and founder of Jamie Makeup . After painting the faces of stars like Kristen Stewart, Kaley Cuoco, Rashinda Jones, and more, Greenberg has rightfully earned her stripes as one of the top makeup artists in the country. A master of both jaw-dropping red carpet looks and natural, no-makeup makeup, Greenberg has a loyal following of over 350,000 over on Instagram, where you can catch some of her latest work.
Danielle Kimiko Vincent is the founder of ultra-popular makeup brand Kimiko . She’s also a makeup artist and brow expert who’s considered an industry authority in the world of beauty. Vincent’s work has been seen in various national publications, and she’s widely lauded for her trademark less-is-more approach.
Nechelle Turner is a global makeup artist for beauty brand Jane Iredale. Turner has worked in the industry for decades, creating flawless looks for clients (many of whom have walked the red carpets of both the Grammys and BET Awards) while also educating other makeup artists about the craft.
Meet the Authors
Claire Sullivan was the Senior Beauty and Lifestyle Commerce Editor for Footwear News and WWD, where she wrote and edited beauty, fashion, and lifestyle stories. She has over six years of experience as a writer and editor for national media outlets including Martha Stewart Living, Martha Stewart Weddings, InStyle, and Byrdie. Sullivan keeps her finger on the pulse of all things related to beauty and wellness, having reported on and tested makeup brush sets for eight years.
Stacia Datskovska is a Senior Commerce Writer at WWD. Previously, she worked at ELLE DECOR as an assistant digital editor, covering all things luxury, culture, and lifestyle through a design lens. Her bylines over the past five years have appeared in USA Today, Baltimore Sun, Teen Vogue, Boston Globe, Food & Wine, and more. Prior to joining ELLE DECOR, Datskovska learned the ins and outs of e-commerce at Mashable, where she tested products, covered tentpole sales events, and curated gift guide roundups. She graduated from NYU with a bachelor’s degree in journalism and international relations. Datskovska regularly reports on trending beauty products and how to shop them most effectively.
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